Cozumel Cruise Port Guide

The island of Cozumel is a popular destination for central american and caribbean cruises. With rich culture and beautiful landscapes to explore, this island is full of opportunities for adventure. Since this island is one of the top cruise destinations, it is very tourist friendly.

Cozumel Cruise Port

Within the port, there are loads of shops and restaurants to enjoy. A lot of people enjoy a day in Cozumel by simply spending the day oceanside at one of the many restaurants and bars within the port. Senor Frog’s and Margaritaville are two of the more popular bars, located right along the waters edge.

If you are looking to stock up on duty free liquor, Cozumel is the perfect port to do that. There are a handful of local liquor companies with storefronts in the port, specifically locally made tequila. Many of these storefronts offer taste tests, so take some time wandering around port and finding your favorite liquors to bring home with you.

Additionally, across from the cruise port, there is a tourist friendly area to explore. This little shopping area is more cultural and authentic than what you will find directly inside the cruise port.

Have a beach day!

At the exit of the terminal are tons of taxis waiting to take you to the destination of your choice! Make sure you know where you want to go before hopping in the taxi, as it is a flat rate that depends on location. There are lots of beaches along Cozumel that are great to spend the day at, all of which are a quick taxi ride away. And given the influx of tourists in the area, all of these areas, as well as the taxis themselves are safe. A majority of people speak at least a bit of English, enough to communicate with.

San Miguel de Cozumel Shopping Area

About 1.5 miles from the cruise terminal is all the best shopping on the island. From luxury shops, jewelry and boutique shops , to local artisans, art shops, local foods and more. And a lot of these shops are duty free, which is a huge advantage to travelers, allowing them to save some money.

The upscale tourist shops are primarly located directly at the waterfront. If you are looking for more authentic goods and souvenirs, I encourage you to venture further inland. This is where a lot of the gems are hidden! Plaza del Sol is a great place to explore to enjoy a more cultural experience in this downtown area.

If you are looking to find items that are unique to this region, I encourage you to keep an eye out for mexican vanilla, locally made tequilas, and chocolate!

Dive into the Underwater World

Cozumel has some of the best dive sites in the entire world. A divers paradise, these crystal clear waters, with visibility of up to 50 meters, have so much life waiting to be explored.

Rich coral formations, comfortable water temperatures, and abundant sea life offers the perfect diving experience for experienced and beginner divers alike.

If you want to go on a scuba dive trip, there are a handful of dive shops in the area you can go out with.

However, if you are just lookin to snorkel, you have the choice of finding a shore location to snorkel, or to join a tour. There are perks to both, of course. A tour will get you to more remote locations off the coast, whereas exploring on your own allows you to stay on the water as long as you please, really soaking everything in.

Playa El Cielo is an excellent beach to go to if you are looking to go snorkeling from shore. Stingrays, starfish, and other marine life are commonly seen here, making for an exciting snorkel experience. Simply take a taxi to the El Cielo Beach Club to enjoy a day at the beach.

If you opt for a tour, they typically involve multiple stops, allowing you to see multiple different reefs through the duration of the tour. Additionally, it is standard for all snorkel gear to be included with tours. And you can expect the local guides to share a bounty of knowledge with you regarding the marine life in the area.

Explore the Ruins

San Gervasio Mayan ruins are right on Cozumel and easily accessible. While you can do a self-guided tour of the ruins, I highly recommend opting for a guided tour.

There is so much to be learned beyond what is seen by the eye. The tour guides native to the area are full of knowledge and stories. The history and culture is fascinating to walk amongst.

Before you enter the ruins, there is a small shopping area full of authentic souvenirs you can bring home with you.

The Mayan Cacao Company

The cocao plant holds so much significance to the mayan people. Visit the Mayan Cacao Company to learn the importance of this plant in mayan culture. This interactive experience will walk you through the history of the incredible plant that is cacao. From demonstrations on how the mayans traditionally made chocolate, to gaining an understanding of the monetary value cacao held. At the end, stop in the chocolate boutique to take home some locally made chocolate!

Mayan Cuisine

For all of the foodies out there, Cozumel is the perfect destination to opt for an authentic Mayan cooking class. The mayans cuisine shaped a lot of the current foods we associate with Central America today. A cooking class will teach you how these items were traditionally made, while integrating the history and culture of the Mayans. There is endless knowledge to be learned from the Mayans, and so much good food to eat. The local instructors from the area are so rich in knowledge. You are sure to leave with a deeper connection to the mayans.

Bee Sanctuary

Melipona bees hold a significant place in mayan culture. Head to the Mayan Bee Sanctuary to see first hand how this organization is preserving the Melipona bee population, alongside the traditional practices of beekeeping.